having 2nd thoughts advice please

[crumpet54]

Hi
Still in the pre reg stage. Completed diploma in home based childcare completing first aid and safeguarding in the next few weeks. DBS completed policies written etc.
Something is holding me back from applying to ofsted!
I have a 1 year old daughter, and she is my main focus for childminding.
However I'm getting worried that I should go out and get a job outside of the house and send her to a childminder . I think I'm just worried about the lack of adult interaction. Any thoughts ? Does it honestly work better? Will she need to go out and be with other childcarers?
I'm so confused! I want to be a good mummy!
Sorry I'm just rambling on! Need to vent!

[Simona]

Hi
Still in the pre reg stage. Completed diploma in home based childcare completing first aid and safeguarding in the next few weeks. DBS completed policies written etc.
Something is holding me back from applying to ofsted!
I have a 1 year old daughter, and she is my main focus for childminding.
However I'm getting worried that I should go out and get a job outside of the house and send her to a childminder . I think I'm just worried about the lack of adult interaction. Any thoughts ? Does it honestly work better? Will she need to go out and be with other childcarers?
I'm so confused! I want to be a good mummy!
Sorry I'm just rambling on! Need to vent!

Good to weigh those worries but you can combine caring for your own child while caring for others too....you will spend more time with her than if you sent her to another cm and got a job.
You would also be the prime educator
Maybe you can reflect on working 3/4 days and have days just with your child....eventually you will want your child to attend a preschool to get the feel of a larger group setting in preparation for school.

As a cm you are self employed and able to decide what suit your business best....you can find interaction by attending stay and play or join in activities with other cms.

Think positive and think of the benefit of running your business and the freedom it gives you...without forgetting the perks!
Good luck

[AliceK]

There is no easy answer. I have 2 children and have been childminding for 6 years. My DS is now 11 and my DD is 7. I worked as a nanny many many years ago and then moved into the corporate world for a long time. My DS went to a childminder from 4mths old until he he was 4yrs. I gave up my office job when my DD was born, it wasn't planned, she was very sick when she was born and had additional needs so I knew I couldn't go back to work and leave her with my planned childminder. I took a year off to care for her and get her through her operation and then decided to become a childminder. It has been great in that I am at home for my children and can take them to school and pick them up and have the flexibility to go to medical appointments with my daughter etc etc. However I hate the fact that my home is not my own, the wear and tear on everything etc. It isn't always easy to have "quality" time with your own children when you're working and sometimes that does make me feel guilty, I always feel like they come bottom of the pile so to speak. BUT when I talk to my DS about it, he remembers being with a childminder whilst I was out working and he now sees the other side when I am at home although not always "available", he much prefers me to be here. So, one of my children has spent the first few years of their life with a childminder and the other child has been at home with me. They are both bright, intelligent, confident children so I certainly don't think it makes a difference to them in that respect. As for me? I do miss the adult company, the lunchbreaks, the drive back home giving me time to wind down, but for me the positives outweigh the negatives. Saying that, I can only see me doing this until my DD starts secondary school.
Good luck with your decision xxx

[crumpet54]

Thank you for your replies, I know that the positives will outweigh the negatives, I have a playroom on the side of the house which will be used so I don't have the issue of it taking over my home etc
If I'm honest with you I've been having problems lately with confidence etc feel like I've lost my way/self etc feeling like I'm a mummy and nothing else! Just feeling a bit low, family live 200 miles away. I feel out of touch with friends etc feel like I have nothing to talk about!

[tess1981]

Thank you for your replies, I know that the positives will outweigh the negatives, I have a playroom on the side of the house which will be used so I don't have the issue of it taking over my home etc
If I'm honest with you I've been having problems lately with confidence etc feel like I've lost my way/self etc feeling like I'm a mummy and nothing else! Just feeling a bit low, family live 200 miles away. I feel out of touch with friends etc feel like I have nothing to talk about!

Ah sending hugs.... as said quality time with your own child while you are working is not always easy or do but you still see them every day and they get to be in their own home with you

[loocyloo]

Big hugs.
One of the reasons I love this forum is to 'talk' to other people who ' get ' this job and understand!

it is hard. I nannied for years, and until my ds was 18mths. I then started childminding and since had my dd. I am there for my children and can be involved in their school lives. This morning I took my 13yr old ds to school and had to chat to head of music ... taking dd and 3 LOs with me! Then took dd to school and dropped off a book and puppet i was lending to reception class!

I couldn't do that if I worked elsewhere.

My friends are mainly other mums but I also go to dance class and sing with a choir which gives me other things to talk about. And different people to meet. I moved 4 yrs ago and it was hard to make new friends but I'm getting there! I met some friends at toddlers even though my own children are older!
Mindees and I have just got the bus to a local town and chatted to some of the people we met on the bus. Just had morning tea in coffee shop with some people from the bus!

Sometimes though my children have to come 2nd. Ds broke a tooth at school... I was able to collect him and take him to dentist, but couldn't go into dentist with him as had 3 LOs and not enough room. He was ok to go in by himself. Othertimes mindees come with my children to appts. It is swings and roundabouts but I wouldn't change it.

Go for it and give it a try.

Lots of luck xxx

[watford wizz]

If your not quite feeling yourself a chat with doc or nurse may help. I had a few months of feeling low/struggling through and after some blood test found had really low iron levels so may be worth getting checked out xxx

[crumpet54]

Thank you all, just feeling like I'm hoping it's the right decision.
I think overall it will be the best option. Might just be last minute nerves!
Yes I might go to the gp I have been a bit up and down lately thanks x

[Kiddleywinks]

Good advice already given, but for my two penneth worth...

Going self employed is a big risk - not surprised you'd be having a wobble, it's a big decision and brings a huge element of uncertainty with it.
Going into childminding is another huge responsibility - being responsible for someone else's child is a daunting prospect!

Combine those two elements together, and its no surprise you're having some self doubts creeping in, but, you're not alone ;-)
I'm sure we've all felt the same before embarking on this path.
I know I did, and I'm the eldest of 11 children, have 2 children myself and numerous nieces and nephews, so you'd think having children around wouldn't faze me much eh lol

I think having concerns is a positive thing. It'll help to keep you focused on doing your absolute best for the children in your care, and that focus will make you a fab childminder ;-)

It can feel a little lonely sometimes, but that's what we are here for, adult support.
You may find getting friendly with your local minders will also help beat the lonely feelings, groups, stay and play sessions, local support networks etc
If you have a development officer or early years support officer, speak to them for info on groups etc

Try putting your fears down and then a solution to help put things in perspective.
Also, list why you decided to come into minding, and what you've achieved so far to get to this point.
It can't be all bad - we're all still doing it lol

Good luck with completing your registration when you decide to go for it x

[greenfaerie]

My daughter was also my main reason for choosing this career. My priorities shifted when I had her and I don't think I'll ever be prepared to let someone else look after her. So her starting pre school should be fun. I personally don't miss the adult company, but that's just me. I think we just have to try and get some balance in other areas of our lives (easier said than done, I know!) and find a way to be more than a parent and a childminder, maybe to be a person still too.

[Georgiepoo]

I changed careers and did the childminding course etc because I wanted to be at home with my little one.

It can be a lonely business you you as the only adult but the kids love it, having someone to play with and it's good for them to know they have to share your time.

You can schedular play groups where you can take your little one and mindees and that way you get to socialise with other mums and childminders and so can the little ones and also play with other children.

Once your little one is a bit bigger you can send her to pre-school/nursery for interaction with other adults/children away from you.

Personally it's the best decision I made-I can choose my work around what's best for me and most importantly what's best for my little one.

[crumpet54]

Thanks for the replies and support, was just having a few bad weeks. Feel more positive this week course all finished now and just doing first aid this Saturday.
Quick question - partners DBS still in stage 4 I can't apply to Ofsted until this is back? Is that right?

[Amanda70]

Thanks for the replies and support, was just having a few bad weeks. Feel more positive this week course all finished now and just doing first aid this Saturday.
Quick question - partners DBS still in stage 4 I can't apply to Ofsted until this is back? Is that right?

Yes unfortunately that's right. Our DBS's took 2.1/2 months to come back. Hope yours comes back soon

[crumpet54]

Yes unfortunately that's right. Our DBS's took 2.1/2 months to come back. Hope yours comes back soon[/QUOTE]

Ah I thought so! It's been 50 days so far they won't chase until 60 days. I'm hoping it comes soon so I can get sorted. Feel like I'm in limbo waiting!

[Amanda70]

Yes unfortunately that's right. Our DBS's took 2.1/2 months to come back. Hope yours comes back soon

After 60 days they informed the police to get it done within 10 days and it still wasn't done so then I was given an email address for the police and then it came through within a few days, amazing how all of a sudden they can get it done after its Sat on someone's desk for months

[crumpet54]

After 60 days they informed the police to get it done within 10 days and it still wasn't done so then I was given an email address for the police and then it came through within a few days, amazing how all of a sudden they can get it done after its Sat on someone's desk for months

Funny that isn't it! I bet that's what will happen here

[Amanda70]

Funny that isn't it! I bet that's what will happen here

What area are you from?

[crumpet54]

What area are you from?

West midlands
You? X

[Amanda70]

West midlands
You? X

The same as you . I've still got the email address for west Midlands police, do you want it?

[crumpet54]

The same as you . I've still got the email address for west Midlands police, do you want it?

Brilliant thanks x
I'll pm you x